* Warner and Watson in 133-run partnership
* Australia beat India by nine wickets (Adds quotes, byline)
By Ranga Sirilal
COLOMBO, Sept 28 (Reuters) – A record Twenty20 World Cup opening stand of 133 by David Warner and Shane Watson helped Australia destroy India by nine wickets in their first Super Eights match on Friday.
Watson, who also took three for 34 with his seam bowling, won his third straight man of the match award in the tournament after lashing seven sixes and two fours in a 42-ball 72 as his side reached their target of 141 with 31 deliveries to spare.
Warner made an undefeated 63 in 41 balls after rain had interrupted play in the first over of the Australian innings.
“The last couple of games have been pretty good,” Watson said. “It’s nice when things come together like this.”
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was unable to stem the flow of runs despite using eight bowlers including part-timers Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Earlier, Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first but his team were restricted to 140 for seven. Opener Irfan Pathan top-scored with 31.
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